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Glucose Monitoring
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MONITORING BLOOD GLUCOSE
People with diabetes who take insulin or oral
medications must monitor blood glucose levels in order to determine whether
treatment goals are being met and to make sure that your medication dosage is
correct. A number of blood glucose meters, or monitors, have been developed to
help people test their blood glucose, using a drop of blood.
Choosing a blood glucose
monitor
Choosing a blood-glucose monitor is a very personal
decision. You will want to check with your diabetes educator to see what you
should look for in a meter. Some monitors are easier to use than others, and
over the last few years, there have been a lot of improvements.
Meters are similar in performance but are very
different in terms of size and shape, the length of time it takes to get
results, how much blood is needed for the test, cleaning requirements, and data
management features.
Factors that you'll want to consider include:
- How easy is the meter to operate? Many have simple procedures of only two steps.
You also want a strip that's big enough to handle easily and can be inserted
handily into the meter.
- How big is the data display? Is it clear? This is especially important for people
with poor eyesight. Some either incorporate or can be used with a voice activator,
permitting testing without being able to see the meter.
- Is English your first language? If not, some meters have other
languages available.
- How computer-savvy are you? Do you want to be able to
download results?
Wide ranges of data management and computer capability features are available in today's
meters. While some meters store the last reading, others contain enough memory for
several hundred test results. Some even link the result with a specific event
such as meals, exercise and illness. Most newer models contain a data port that
allows the meter to be hooked to a computer so that stored readings can be graphed and
analyzed at home or at your doctor's office. Some of these can upload your data into
your own secure chart on this site - My Health Chart at lifeclinic.com, which has logging and graphing
capabilities.
Click here for more information about Auto Glucose Uploading.
Sample size
One of the most important considerations in
choosing a monitor is the sample size and the lancing device. The more painful
it is to draw blood, the less likely you are to test. After decades of requiring
fingersticks for a sample, newer meters are now available that use such a small
amount of blood that it can be taken from elsewhere on the body, such as the
forearm, which is less sensitive to pricking.
Your diabetes educator or pharmacist can help you
choose which monitor would be best for you. It is also helpful to talk to others
about their experiences with different monitors.
You will also need test strips,
lancets and lancing devices; there are a wide variety available. Ask your
pharmacist which supplies are best for you.
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GLUCOSE MONITORS
| Brand
Name |
Description |
Range
(mg/dl) |
Time
(sec) |
Power
|
Weight
(oz) |
Upload to
lifeclinic.com
My Health Chart |
Accu-Chek Simplicity
(Roche Diagnostics) |
2-step
test; 30-value memory; very small sample |
20-500 |
25-30 |
2
lithium or
4 button |
2 |
|
Accu-Chek Advantage
(Roche Diagnostics) |
Simple
2-step procedure;100-results memory |
10-600 |
40 |
2
AAA |
2.6 |
|
Accu-Chek Complete
(Roche Diagnostics) |
Simple
2-step test; small sample.For those who test frequently during the day;
includes trends, extensive data management |
10-600 |
40 |
2
AAA |
4.4 |
|
Accu-Chek Instant
(Roche Diagnostics) |
Very
fast, accurate results; 2-step procedure; 9-value memory |
20-500 |
12 |
4
1.5-
volt
alkaline |
1.76 |
|
Accu-Chek Voicemate
(Roche Diagnostics) |
Incorporates voice guide for visually
impaired |
10-600 |
40 |
9-volt |
10.94 |
|
Assure
(MEDgenesis) |
Extensive data management; 180-test memory; large
touch-screen display |
30-550 |
35 |
1
J-cell |
5.3 |
|
AtLast
(Amira Medical) |
All-in-one meter and sampling system, eliminates
fingersticks, uses samples from less sensitive sites |
40-400 |
15 |
Permanent;
lasts for
2500 tests |
3.2 |
|
Checkmate Plus
(QuestStar
Medical) |
Built-in lancing device; no wiping, blotting or
timing; 255-results memory |
25-500 |
15-70 |
2
3-volt
lithium |
1.8 |
|
ExacTech
(Abbott,
MediSense) |
Credit
card sized; simple 3-step test |
40-450 |
30 |
Permanent;
lasts for
4000 tests |
1.7 |
|
ExacTech R-S-G
(Abbott,
MediSense) |
Easy
to use, 3-step testing; economical test strips |
40-450 |
30 |
Permanent;
lasts for
4000
tests |
1.6 |
|
FreeStyle
(TheraSense ) |
Uses
small sample from forearm, sites other than fingertips, to reduce
pain |
20-500 |
15 |
2AAAA |
2.1 |
|
Glucometer DEX
(Bayer Diagnostics ) |
Uses
10-test cartridge instead of strips; very small sample (3-4 micro-liters);
100-test memory |
10-600 |
30 |
2
3-volt
lithium |
2.8 |
|
Glucometer Elite
(Bayer Diagnostics ) |
Very
small blood sample; automatic operation; 20-test memory |
20-600 |
30 |
2
3-volt
lithium |
1.75 |
|
Glucometer Elite XL
(Bayer Diagnostics ) |
Similar to above; system includes lancing device, test
strips, carrying case, control solution, and log book |
20-600 |
30 |
2
3-volt
lithium |
2.1 |
|
Glucometer Encore
(Bayer Diagnostics ) |
Automatically shuts off after 3 min; 10-test memory;
kit includes case, control solution, test strips and lancets |
10-600 |
15 |
Permanent |
3.6 |
|
MediSense 2 Pen
(Abbott) |
Pen-sized meter; hands-off testing; no cleaning,
wiping, blotting, timing |
20-600 |
20 |
Permanent
(4000
tests) |
1.1 |
|
MediSense 2 Card
(Abbott)
|
Same
features as Pen, in credit-card size |
20-600 |
20 |
Permanent
(4000
tests) |
1.7 |
|
One
Touch Basic
(LifeScan, J&J) |
No
timing or wiping required; large display; alerts you if sample too small
or if meter needs cleaning; 75-test memory |
0-600 |
45 |
2
AAA |
4.1 |
|
| One Touch
FastTake (LifeScan, J&J ) |
Very
small meter, needs only 2.5 microliters of blood; 150-test
memory |
0-600 |
15 |
2
silver
oxide |
1.6 |
|
One
Touch Profile
(LifeScan, J&J ) |
3-step
testing; no timing, wiping, blotting; large display; compatible with voice
activator; 250-test memory |
0-600 |
45 |
2
AAA |
4.5 |
|
| One Touch
SureStep(LifeScan, J&J ) |
No
wiping, easy blood application; 10-test memory |
0-500 |
15-30 |
2
AAA
alkaline |
3.8 |
|
One
Touch Ultra
(LifeScan, J&J ) |
Uses
tiny sample (1 microliter) from forearm; 150-test memory; data management,
downloading features |
20-600 |
5 |
1
3-volt
lithium |
1.5 |
|
Precision QID
(Abbott) |
2-step
test, automatic timing; 3.5 microliter sample; 125-test storage for
downloading |
20-600 |
20 |
Permanent
(4000
tests) |
1.5 |
|
Precision QID Pen
(Abbott) |
Same
as above, in pen size and shape |
20-600 |
20 |
Permanent
(4000
tests) |
1.1 |
|
Prestige LX
(Home
Diagnostics) |
Easy,
3-step test; large display; 365-test memory. |
25-600 |
10-50 |
6-volt
J-cell |
4.9 |
|
Select
GT
Supreme II
(MEDgenesis) |
Universal symbols; large display; 100-test
memory |
30-600 |
50 |
1
J-cell |
4.7 |
|
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